The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-25
CHAPTER VIII

1t is good to have you here. | wonder
if your illness was sent just to teach you
how much your cousins needed youl There!
No more thanks, if you please. We have
had quite enough of that, sir l have a
whole morning for your amusement. Give
me the book. Not that one? Why's could
begin where she left off. But you prefer
anothers Well, since all sick people have
their whims, l will humor you a little
longer; though the very air to-day suggests
the soft-fowing numbers of 'Hiawatha.'
But mind Your rule is at an end when
your strength returns And you are look
ing shockingly well to-day. How lovely she
must be--Clara Meredith, mean. | am
sorry she was not true. | think beauty is
so divine gift 1t must be SO easy to live
and be happy when one is beautiful"
| was lounging near the open window. l
could see the undulating fields of waving
grain across the lawn and the flower Dor
ders where June roses were blooming Far
away beyond field and wood, glittered the
blue line of the sea. The breeze, freshened
with its salt brought the smell of violets
and roses in its breath, and kissed the face
of the girl who sat near me with a book in
her hand. A pure, sweet face encased in
bands of golden hair remember the dress
she wore, and how it seemed part of the
eternal fitness of things that she should
wear such dress on such day. 1t was a
fresh white muslin with no ribbons, and
pansies at her throat and in her belt. | had
had fever, and had been ordered to the
country to recover my strength. They did
not know of my illness at Valley Field I'M
til was almost well, and then Mr. Wallace
himself brought me such an invitation as l
could not resist.
| closed my eyes with a sense of perfect
content, for the moment, and listened to the
clear ringing tones of the sweetest voice in
the world as she read / heard the voice
only, not needing what it said, until l start
ed, with thrill, at these words:
''She will weep her woman tears, she will pray
her woman'S prayers;
But her heart is young in pain, and her hopes
will spring again,
By the suntime of her years"
''He wronged her there" she said.
'How" l asked.
"Can you think, having risked already so
much for him, that death or time could
make any change in her love!'
"How can | tell, +" answered, Grossly. II
confess I do not understand a woman's af-
fections when she happens to have any
The few have known have altogether baf-
fed me. One never knows how to take
them or where to find them For my part.
| have given up the riddle. No doubt the
Duchess May was like ell other Mays, and
Hates and James and Susans from that time
to this"
How provoking you arel" she said $50
bring down my mournful passionate rhyme
to the level OF James and SuSans.' | will
not read to you in that mood. To read
rightly one might be sure that the listener
is not critici2ing, but sharing ones interest
entirely"
pray go on" said "At all events,
your voice is pleasant to hear
was unreasonably irritated because she,
my model Of a true womauhood, thus
showed me that She was faithful in her
heart and soul had thought it impossi-
BILE TO grieve deeply yet near smiling face.
had not remembered that that was her
way of bearing pain. Until now had been
too weak and listless to be otherwise than
happy TO have her near me, tosse her Aitting
about the house, to watch for her coming.
More than ever my queen. More than ever
my good angel. More than ever the one
woman in the world for me. Now, in the
face Of her earnestness, the old pain was
stirring.
II am determined to be good to you, no
matter how cross you are, dear old boy, +" she
said after a moment Of waiting. $50 /
will go on. But first | want to tell you
something
She came nearer and sat down on the floor
by my sofa. She took one Of my hands in
both hers and strolIed It, Then she laid 10
back, and placed one Of hers on my fore
nedd, lOpklUE liitO eyes W. tilt
in my soul The mad longing TO catch her
in my arms, 10 hold her close to my heart.
/ shut my eyes TO keep out the sight Of that
tender. plying face 50 close 10 mine.
Dear JEFF. !" she said, ~ am afraid you
are worse. Shall ] wait and talk 30 you
another timer / shook my head. ''Jef
freyr' and she paused. 81 donot know how
10 say II, but must I don't know what
YOU are thinking of mo; but | know your
face so well that am sure have hurt you
In some way ] want 10 beg you 10 forgive
me for Whatever pain have given or may
give YOU / want ~ ask sou 10 believe that
nothing could grleve me 80 much az ~ think
10 assure YOU that there b nothing IN the
world I Ssh ~ much a. yonr happiness
NOfhng ID fAe world DO you hear me-
Jofifcyi ~ yOp lndelptaadf ! want leu